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RMA · 5% of the exam

Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid practice questions

10 free Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid questions for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Exam exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questionsFree 10-question RMA quiz

What this domain covers

The smallest domain in our estimate: therapeutic treatments such as heat, cold and mobility aids, and responding to office emergencies.

Exam weight
5%
On a real exam
≈ 11 questions
In our bank
34 questions

Topics that come up most

  • Heat and cold applications
  • Ambulation aids and gait training
  • Range-of-motion exercises
  • CPR, AED use and airway obstruction
  • Recognising and responding to shock, syncope, seizures and burns

How to study it

Write a one-line first response for each common emergency and know when heat or cold is the right choice; questions test the first correct action.

Sample Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid questions

Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.

  1. Question 1

    What is a TENS unit used for?

    • AMeasuring heart rhythm
    • BPain relief with mild electrical stimulation
    • CChecking oxygen levels
    • DSterilizing instruments
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Pain relief with mild electrical stimulation

    • AIncorrect. That's an ECG.
    • BCorrect. It's applied through skin pads.
    • CIncorrect. That's pulse oximetry.
    • DIncorrect. That's an autoclave.

  2. Question 2

    A paraffin bath is often used to relieve:

    • ANew sprains
    • BStiff joints
    • COpen wounds
    • DFevers
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Stiff joints

    • AIncorrect. Cold is used early.
    • BCorrect. Warm paraffin eases joint stiffness.
    • CIncorrect. Paraffin is not used on wounds.
    • DIncorrect. This adds heat.

  3. Question 3

    When climbing stairs with crutches, the patient should lead with the:

    • AStrong leg
    • BWeak leg
    • CBoth crutches
    • DEither leg
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Strong leg

    • ACorrect. 'Up with the good, down with the bad.'
    • BIncorrect. The weak leg leads going down.
    • CIncorrect. The strong leg leads up.
    • DIncorrect. Order matters.

  4. Question 4

    How should axillary crutches be fitted?

    • ATwo to three finger widths below the armpit, elbows slightly bent
    • BPressed tightly up into the armpit so the crutch can't slip during walking
    • CWith arms fully straight
    • DAt waist height
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Two to three finger widths below the armpit, elbows slightly bent

    • ACorrect. Weight goes on the hands.
    • BIncorrect. That can injure nerves.
    • CIncorrect. Elbows should bend slightly.
    • DIncorrect. That's too short.

  5. Question 5

    Moist heat is often preferred over dry heat because it:

    • APenetrates deeper
    • BIs always cooler
    • CReduces swelling early
    • DNeeds no monitoring
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Penetrates deeper

    • ACorrect. Moist heat penetrates tissue more effectively.
    • BIncorrect. It is still heat.
    • CIncorrect. Cold does that.
    • DIncorrect. Monitor for burns.

  6. Question 6

    For a nosebleed, the patient should:

    • ABlow the nose hard
    • BTilt the head back
    • CLie flat
    • DLean forward
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Lean forward

    • AIncorrect. This restarts bleeding.
    • BIncorrect. Blood may be swallowed.
    • CIncorrect. Lean forward instead.
    • DCorrect. Pinch the soft part of the nose for 10–15 minutes.

  7. Question 7

    A parent calls the office. Their child just swallowed some liquid household cleaner. The child is awake, alert and breathing normally. What should the medical assistant tell the parent to do first?

    • AMake the child vomit right away to get the cleaner out of the stomach
    • BCall Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 and follow the instructions given
    • CGive the child a snack so food in the stomach slows absorption
    • DWatch the child for a few hours and call for help only if symptoms appear
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 and follow the instructions given

    For a suspected poisoning in a stable, alert patient, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 and follow its instructions. Don't make the person vomit unless told to. Call 911 if the person collapses, stops breathing or has a seizure.

    • AIncorrect. MedlinePlus says not to make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care professional says to. A caustic product can burn the throat again on the way back up.
    • BCorrect. The national Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) is free, confidential and open 24/7. It connects callers with poison experts who say what to do next. Call 911 instead if the child collapses, has trouble breathing or has a seizure.
    • CIncorrect. Do not give anything by mouth unless poison control or a health care professional says to. Food is not a recommended treatment for poisoning.
    • DIncorrect. Waiting delays expert advice. MedlinePlus says to seek help right away when poisoning is suspected, even if there are no symptoms yet.

  8. Question 8

    What is the compression-to-breath ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR?

    • A30:2
    • B15:1
    • C5:1
    • D50:5
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) 30:2

    • ACorrect. Push hard and fast.
    • BIncorrect. That isn't the adult ratio.
    • CIncorrect. That's outdated.
    • DIncorrect. That isn't correct.

  9. Question 9

    A conscious diabetic patient is shaky and sweaty. What should be given?

    • AWater only
    • BInsulin
    • CNothing until the provider arrives
    • DA fast-acting sugar, such as juice
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) A fast-acting sugar, such as juice

    • AIncorrect. Sugar is needed.
    • BIncorrect. That worsens low blood sugar.
    • CIncorrect. Treat promptly.
    • DCorrect. Recheck glucose if possible.

  10. Question 10

    Pushing against a wall without moving the joint is an example of:

    • APassive ROM
    • BIsotonic exercise
    • CIsometric exercise
    • DAerobic exercise
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Isometric exercise

    • AIncorrect. Someone else moves the joint.
    • BIncorrect. This involves movement.
    • CCorrect. Muscles contract without joint movement.
    • DIncorrect. This is sustained activity.

Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid: FAQs

How much of the RMA exam is Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid?

Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid is 5% of the RMA exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 210-question form works out to roughly 11 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.

What does the Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid domain cover?

The smallest domain in our estimate: therapeutic treatments such as heat, cold and mobility aids, and responding to office emergencies.

How should I study Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid for RMA?

Write a one-line first response for each common emergency and know when heat or cold is the right choice; questions test the first correct action.

Where can I practise more Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid questions?

This page has 10 free Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid questions with answers. The ExamWize RMA question bank has 34 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Other RMA topics

Also: 15 free questions across all topics, the RMA cheat sheet and the study guide.

Get Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid exam-ready

The full RMA bank has 34 Therapeutic Modalities and First Aid questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

See the full RMA practice examsTake the free diagnostic

Not affiliated with AMT; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.